Seroepidemiology of West Nile Virus in Blood Donors and Pediatric Patients from Central Anatolia, Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study, 2024

Abstract

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic pathogen transmitted by mosquito vectors. The present study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of WNV in Konya Province and to investigate potential associations be­tween seropositivity and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
Methods: The study was conducted at Necmettin Erbakan University Hospital from April to August 2024 and included the analysis of serum samples from 720 blood donors and 300 individuals recruited from paediatric outpatient clinics. WNV-specific antibodies were detected using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Immuno­fluorescence Test (IIFT). The potential impact of sociodemographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors (includ­ing age, gender, residential area, education level, income, occupation, outdoor exposure, animal contact, travel history and underlying medical conditions) on seropositivity was investigated. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and associated factors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression.
Results: ELISA-based serological analysis identified WNV IgM positivity in 50 samples (4.9%) and IgG posi­tivi­ty in 17 samples (1.7%). In total, 67 serum samples were classified as WNV-seropositive. Among 1,020 participants, ELISA screening identified 50 (4.9%) IgM-reactive samples, including 25 (2.45%) positive and 25 (2.45%) borderline results. ELISA IgG was positive in 17 participants (1.7%), including 16 (1.6%) positive and one (0.1%) borderline sample.
Conclusions: The findings provide the first comprehensive serological evidence of WNV circulation in Konya and its surrounding regions, suggesting that this area may represent a potential endemic zone.